Kristy A. Meade is a Certified Diversity Professional and Corporate Trainer with an educational background in behavioral psychology and a ten year professional background in technology. She's blended her diverse skill set to develop research-based approaches to interpersonal obstacles in today's workplace.

She's the go-to speaker for revolutionary and forward-focused organizations and events. While speaking at company meetings like the Zappos All Hands, tech conferences like Splunk conf2015 and Lockdown 2016, and progressive business conferences like next:organizing, she has maintained a focus on her one passion - creating a better world by creating a better workplace.

Kristy radiates energy, happiness, and passion. Her vulnerable and open presence creates a receptive audience. She inspires the change-maker in everyone, motivating every listener to take responsibility for our collective future.

Presentations:

Tech Like A Girl
Women have had a long, mostly forgotten history in the tech field, and have suffered a decline in both representation and support as the technical field has grown. Kristy's “Tech Like A Girl” summarizes the unique contributions of women to the tech industry and studies the decline of women in tech. She will review the trends and societal pressures that have led to 56% of women in a technical career leaving that career mid-way, and the overwhelming male slant of today's tech industry from an insider's perspective, as well as offer options and insights to invite women back into Tech, while challenging the audience to act immediately with the new information. Her unique perspective on gender bias in the tech field, combined with her vulnerable communication style, allows the audience to communicate without defensiveness, promoting full engagement without reservation.

How will you invite women to join your tech teams?

This presentation identifies the social and cognitive influences that are generating roadblocks for women in the tech industry. Drawing from personal experiences, Kristy will help attendees understand the obstacles women in tech encounter, and will explain how organizations can prevent and overcome those obstacles.

Key take-away points include:
* Understanding the creation and impact of unconscious biases
* Accepting that the tech industry is in trouble, and it's not a supply problem
* Learning about many women responsible for the creation of the tech industry
* Recognizing the steps necessary to invite women back into Tech
o How to get our resumes
o How to be certain we're actually being considered for the job
o How to interview and hire us
o How to retain our talent for the long haul
* Tasking attendees to choose an action to take when they get back to the office

Beyond Bureaucracy
Organizations have been operating under the bureaucratic hierarchy for as long as any of us can remember. But when did we start using this organizational structure? Why did we adopt it? Who was it designed for?
While answering these questions, Kristy A Meade will reveal the dark history behind this antiquated system. She will share with you her hypothesis that explains the path our society has taken to outgrow this toxic tradition and will provide insight into the needs of our multigenerational workforce while we adapt to a changing world.
Our society has been advancing from a top-down climate to one of hyper-connectivity. From crowd funding to ride sharing to sharing economy, we can see this transformation taking form. Is your organization ready?

This presentation identifies the path our society has traveled to socially evolve into a highly connected culture driven by shared purpose. Kristy will help attendees understand the needs of today's workforce, and will explain how organizations can meet those needs during a time of major organizational change.
Key take-away points include:
* Understanding what bureaucracy is, where it came from, and why it needs to change
* Learning about what people need to be enabled to reach self-actualization
* Connecting with each generation in today's workforce
* Identifying the new need that transcends self-actualization
* Making considerations for the needs of employees
o Basic human needs
o Personal needs
o Generational needs

Kristy is happy to be available after speaking to talk with guests, answer questions, or just hang out. She is very personable and gets along with everyone!